WHAT'S GOING ON NOW:

RISING STAR RELIGIOUS MIDDLE SCHOOL

A Community Approach
Yeshiva of Central Queens puts focus on character, academics and Judaism

Yeshiva of Central Queens has lofty goals for its students.

There’s a dual focus on Judaic studies and traditional subjects like math and science with the overall goal of promoting social responsibility and personal character. Yet the school’s roughly 800 students still net above-average scores on standardized state exams, along with accolades in debate, chidon hatanacha—or Bible study—and English.

Under the guidance of its principal, Rabbi Mark Landsman, the school offers a warm and secure learning environment. As teacher Rabbi Aloni Russek, a 13-year veteran said, “We have people here who care and try to bring out the best of each child.”

The school has a lot of wonderful programs to motivate students, he explained. In addition to Judaic studies, there are debate clubs, sports, musical choir and science and math programs, among other activities. But what most defines the Yeshiva is the community of students, parents and staff.

“We are involved with the children’s extra activities,” Russek said. “Whether it’s a bar mitzvah party, hockey game, baseball or debate, the teachers are involved.”

The school has a grandparent evening, a Sunday “learning with the parents” program where students and their families conduct religious studies together, and a shabbotom, or a weekend Sabbath worship.

“All the kids go their friends’ houses and we have a meal and sing together,” Russek said.

“There is a lot of care for the individual children. They build a sense of the community and their academic standards are excellent,” said Debbie Rosensweig, a Yeshiva board member, alumna and mother of three students. Judaic studies instructors at the junior high level are particularly involved with students beyond studies, she said. The school’s religious component “gives children a moral compass and sense of understanding right from wrong.” Russek agrees.

“The Bible teaches you that we have to have good middos, which is good personality or character,” he said. “The Torah teaches how to have good qualities, to act properly and have respect for everyone and everything. So by learning Judaic studies it helps in becoming a better person.”

Fifty percent of the school’s curriculum focuses on religion, which is taught from 8 a.m. until noon. Students study Torah, Hebrew language, religious Zionism, Jewish Talmudic studies and prayers. The rest of the afternoon is a general studies program.

“It’s a rigorous, completely state-standard curriculum,” Landsman said.

In his past four years as principal, Landsman said he has constantly tried to make improvements. He takes a child-centered approach that “teaches the child and not the subject,” and feels the most important factor in learning is the school atmosphere.

“It’s really important that the kids like coming to school,” he said. “That means that the school atmosphere has to be caring, warm and sincere.”

— Wendy Ilene Friedman